What is an aorta?

Tamara

January 12, 2015

The circulatory system supplies the entire body with oxygen. In this article we will look at what the aorta is and what its role is. The aorta is the largest arterial vessel that has a significant branching. It provides blood supply to all organs and tissues. The aorta begins in the left heart ventricle and has an arched appearance. The vessel goes around the heart, and then goes downwards. There are three parts of the aorta: ascending, descending and arc.

The aorta is located in the great circulation and is unpaired. The descending part of the vessel has a great length and is conventionally divided into the abdominal and thoracic.

Aortic structure

This arterial vessel undergoes maximum blood pressure. That is why the aortic wall is characterized by a considerable thickness and has a specific structure. It includes three layers:

Internal, lined with mucous membrane;

Medium, which is a dense connective tissue;

The outer, including the soft epithelium.

The thoracic aorta is located near the esophagus, passes to the right of it. Under the special opening in the diaphragm, the abdominal aorta begins, giving rise to numerous branches and arteries.